Times is honored in L.A. Press Club awards

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The Times was honored in several categories Sunday evening in the Los Angeles Press Club’s 54th annual Southern California Journalism Awards:

Robert Faturechi and Jack Leonard won first prize for investigative series (large papers) for their coverage of abuses in the Los Angeles County jail system. In addition, Robert placed third in the competition for L.A. journalist of the year.

Tom Curwen was awarded first prize for news feature (large papers) for ‘Serving the dead,’ his profile of embalmers in Louisiana and a tragically young subject, one of his several stories last year on how society tends to the dead. Ashley Powers placed third for ‘Hostage to their pimps,’ set in Las Vegas, a hub of child prostitution.

It was a big night for our photo staff. Francine Orr was named photojournalist of the year for her work on the series ‘Discovering Autism.’ That work was recognized, as well, for best photo essay. Francine won first prize for entertainment photo for her portrait of actress Michelle Williams.

Gina Ferazzi won first prize for feature photo for an image of a driver whose car became stuck as a sandstorm swept through Palm Springs. She placed second in the news photo and photo essay categories for her coverage of the Gabrielle Giffords shooting.

Copy editor Rebecca Bryant’s ‘Sir! I have a broken leg, sir!’ -- for a feature on the Marines’ new strategy for dealing with injuries sustained in boot camp -- won first prize for headline (large papers). Laura Dominick placed second for ‘Always groom for one more,’ which accompanied a feature on a Nigerian faith healer who wed 107 women.